Visas for Trafficked People - Policy Paper by Anti-Slavery Australia

It is important for survivors of human trafficking and slavery to be supported by an effective visa framework. This paper puts forward the recommendations of Anti-Slavery Australia for amendments to the current trafficking visa framework.

The paper sets out the current scheme, which was amended in 2015 to reduce stigma towards trafficked and enslaved people and to facilitate better support. ASA recognises the value of these improvements, but recommends further change.

Currently, in order to receive a permanent visa, a trafficked person is required to cooperate in investigations by providing evidence or making some other kind of contribution.

Anti-Slavery Australia recommends that there should be a compassionate circumstances exception to this, so that a person may be granted a visa even when they are unable to contribute to a criminal investigation (because of mental difficulties, continuing trauma or fear of retribution, for example). A victim of trafficking is also required to be in danger if returned to his or her home country. Anti-Slavery Australia supports broader and clearer eligibility criteria, since danger is unduly narrow and not well-defined.

The recommended amendments will help to strengthen the Australian framework for supporting survivors of trafficking and slavery.